Rebirth, 2016Utilizing the strategy of upcycling, combined with Chinese cultural inspiration, the purpose of this design was to refashion and add value and significance to secondhand tailored men’s jackets and neckties by creating a feminine dress. By redesigning and making use of these otherwise underused items, they are given prolonged life and increased value. ​Award: Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices Award for Sustainable Design, International Textile and Apparel Assoc. (ITAA) 2016 Annual Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The Goldfinch, 2016 (Co-designer: Sophia Adodo)In order to minimize fabric waste and increase the efficiency of each garment, many designers are practicing zero-waste design, which describes clothing that generates no textile waste during production. The purpose of this ensemble, as part of a research series, was to achieve a greater level of fashion sustainability by using minimal yardages of fabric and creative pattern cutting inspired by paintings to create unique zero-waste designs. One yard of fabric was tested to produce a number of possible garment designs with the same pattern composition. One look was chosen for the final ensemble.